Frequently Asked Questions

  1.  DNA Sample Requirements
    1. de novo sequencing
    2. Whole genome resequencing
    3. Exome sequencing
    4. Bisulfite sequencing/MeDIP sequencing
    5. ChiP sequencing
    6. Bacterial and fungal sequencing
    7. Whole metagenome sequencing
    8. 16S rRNA sequencing
    9. BAC/Fosmid/Chloroplast/Mitochondrial sequencing
  2. RNA Sample requirements
    1. Transcriptome sequencing/RNA-Seq
    2. Small RNA sequencing
  3. Sample Shipment and Collection
    1. Shipping addresses
    2. Shipping instructions
    3. Letter of declaration
  4. How to Order
  5. Downloads and Links
  6. Customer Service
  7. Our Partners

1. DNA Sample Requirements

de novo sequencing

  • OD260/230≥2.0, OD260/280: 1.8～2.0
    • Sample concentration and quantity:
  • For single short-insert libraries: ≥50 ng/µl; ≥6 µg
  • For single 2-Kb ~10 Kb large-insert libraries: ≥150 ng/µl; ≥40 µg
  • For single 20-Kb large-insert library: ≥200 ng/µl; ≥60 µg
  • The total sample quantity for whole genome sequencing is about 500 µg~1 mg

Whole genome resequencing

  • OD260/280: 1.8～2.0
  • Sample concentration: 50ng/μl～150ng/μl (higher concentrations provide better results)
  • Sample quantity: a minimum of 10ug of total DNA for a single sample preparation

Exome sequencing

  • DNA samples without degradation and RNA contamination
  • Sample quantity: ≥15µg (NimbleGen) or 3µg (Agilent SureSelect system)

Bisulfite sequencing/MeDIP sequencing

  • OD260/280: 1.8~2.2,OD260/230≥1.6
  • Sample concentration and quantity: ≥10ng/µl; ≥ 5µg

ChIP sequencing

  • Cell samples: 5*107 cells
  • OD260/280: 1.8~2.2
  • Sample concentration and quantity: ≥1 ng/µl; DNA ≥ 10 ng,
  • DNA fragment length is between 500bp-100bp, main peak 200-300bp, with best length ~250bp
  • Q-PCR test is recommended, not mandatory, as Q-PCR results of the samples can be used to do ChIP-Seq

Bacterial & fungal sequencing

  • OD260/OD280: 1.8~2.0
  • Sample concentration and quantity: ≥30 ng/µl; ≥ 10 µg (more DNA is needed for big large-insert size library and PCR-free-based library)

Whole metagenome sequencing

  • OD260/280: 1.8~2.0
  • Sample concentration and quantity (for single sample preparation): ≥50 ng/µl; ≥2µg

16S rRNA sequencing

  • OD260/280: 1.8~2.0
  • Sample concentration and quantity (for single sample preparation): ≥50 ng/µl; ≥6 µg

BAC/Fosmid/Chloroplast/Mitochondrial sequencing

  • OD260/OD280: 1.8~2.0
  • Sample concentration and quantity: ≥50 ng/µl; ≥ 6 µg

2. RNA Sample Requirements

Transcriptome sequencing/RNA-Seq

  • OD260/OD280: 1.8-2.2, 28S/18S ≥1.0, RIN≥7.0
  • Plant sample concentration and quantity: ≥400 ng/µl; total RNA ≥ 20 µg
  • Mammalian sample (human, mouse, etc.) concentration and quantity:  ≥80 ng/µl; total RNA ≥ 5 µg
  • Other animal sample concentration and quantity: ≥200 ng/µl; total RNA ≥ 10 µg

Small RNA sequencing

  • OD260/OD280: 1.8-2.2, 28S/18S ≥1.5, RIN≥7.0
  • General requirements: concentration and quantity: ≥400 ng/µl; total RNA ≥ 10 µg
  • Plasma/serum or used for co-IP: concentration and quantity:. ≥5 ng/µl; total RNA≥ 100 ng (≥ 5ml for serum sample)
  • < 200 nt small RNA isolated from mirVana™ miRNA Isolation Kit: concentration and quantity:≥20 ng/µl; total RNA ≥1 µg

3. Sample Shipment and Collection

Shipping address in Hong Kong

Consignee's Name Mr. Kaleung Yuen
Company Name BGI - Hong Kong Co., Ltd
Consignee's Address 2/F, 16th Dai Fu Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Contact No. 852-9812 2524
Remarks Please be informed that HK has no postal/zip code. To avoid delay, please advise the client not to put China/CN in the address; in case "Country" must be filed, just put down "Hong Kong"

Shipping address in Shenzhen

Consignee's Name Mr. Dajle Zhou
Company Name BGI Shenzhen
Consignee's Address Main Building, Beishan Industrial Zone, Yantian District, Shenzhen, China 518083
Contact No. 86-755-25273054

Instructions for shipping to Hong Kong

Suggestions for ice pad-accompanied samples (DNA samples)

To send the DNA samples to Hong Kong, we recommend shipping them with ice pads. The number of ice pads used will depend on the number of DNA samples. For example, to send 10 1.5 ml tubes of DNA, it is best to have 3-4 ice pads that are around 25 cm x 25 cm. Using 5 ice pads, assuming there is no delay in shipment, the DNA will remain at a sufficiently low temperature by arrival time. 

We recommend DNA samples be shipped via Fedex and DHL. They have offices in Hong Kong, and we can immediately intervene in cases where there are problems with the shipment. The status of a parcel can be tracked easily on their website. When using these companies, delivery of DNA samples to Hong Kong typically take 3 days. For more detail, please refer to their local representatives.

Suggestions for dry ice pad accompanied samples (RNA samples)

To send RNA samples to Hong Kong, we recommend shipping them with dry ice via World Courier, UPS and TNT special service. Please be aware that not all the couriers can do dry-ice shipments to Hong Kong. Be sure to inform the courier that there is dry ice with the contents, and they will provide instructions for packaging. For more details, please consult their local representatives.
Note that other couriers can be used, but it is best to use couriers that have a contact in Hong Kong for tracking. 

Letter of Declaration

With your sample shipment include an official and signed declaration letter for the Hong Kong Customs agency. In the letter, give a general description of the sample (e.g source/ use/ quantity) and clarify that the sample is neither hazardous, infectious, HIV positive, dangerous, toxic, nor radioactive. For your convenience, a template is provided below. Please attach the declaration letter with the samples. Please also include a copy of the declaration letter with the name of the courier and the shipment tracking number. for Kaleung Yuen from BGI-Hong Kong. 

(Letterhead of the company) 

(Date) 

To whom it may concern, 

This is to certify that the shipment contains [Quantity and type of sample. e.g. 10 DNA samples] that is/are for Research Purposes Only. The samples were derived from [source of sample e.g. human], and they are nonhazardous, noninfectious, not HIV positive, nontoxic and not radioactive. No import license is required for this shipment. Thank you for your attention.  

Yours faithfully, 

(Signature) 

(Name) 

(Title) 

Free sample collection points

(available soon/contact us)

My BGI card

(Here you can download the My BGI card. Fill in and include with your samples. )

4. How to Order

  1. Register at My BGI
  2. Place order
  3. Shipping of your sample
  4. Download your results

5. Downloads and Links

6. Customer Service

Email: [email protected]

7. Our Partners